A whiff of that whimsical, Mary Poppins-esque spirit can be felt even from the entrance of this detached house in Singapore, crafted by Design Intervention. Tasselled curtains frame the poolside area, where a pair of tropical-patterned armchairs holds court, topped with striped cushions that tease at other surprises to come.

Step inside the home, and more wondrous sights follow: a delightful mélange of botanical patterns takes over the living room. With a brief to create a house that would “represent an escape from the mundane”, the goal was to “transport (the owners) to faraway lands within their home”.The design team also took inspiration from the lady of house, who enjoys hosting afternoon tea sessions with friends and family. 

Don’t miss: Home Tour: A Bridgerton-Inspired House in Singapore Made for Stylish Afternoon Teas

The living room is deeply influenced by the English country house style. This aesthetic embraces an eclectic blend of the old and the new by combining rustic influences and vintage-style pieces with contemporary designs that keep the overall look fresh and modern.

“What I love about the English country house style is that the homes evolve over time, and nothing quite matches but that is the point,” says Nikki Hunt, founder of Design Intervention. “The living room has a curated collection of independently sourced pieces, not all shiny and new, but worn and well-loved to create a space that is comforting and nurturing.” 

An exuberant array of floral wall coverings and upholstery fabrics bring a garden-like ambience into the living room, while celebrating the leisurely ritual of the English-style afternoon tea. The mezzanine level, which serves as a dedicated tearoom, follows a similar botanical theme while playfully carrying cadences of the settings from Netflix period drama Bridgerton. In this tearoom, a pair of silk lampshades floats overhead, and a round Turkish rug with paisley motifs in muted tones completes the English-influenced look. 

Renovated in just five months by K&H Design, this abode in the English countryside marries a classic look with specially curated furnishings; the study is also the family's favourite room. Nestled in the idyllic Oxfordshire countryside, this particular historical property with its classical Georgian architecture is the client’s first English country home.

“​​It is a property that has two distinct characters to it: one half an old original Georgian rectory and the other, a more recent large extension,” says Henry Miller-Robinson, co-founder of K&H Design. Working closely with co-founder Katie Glaister and their team, the British firm gave this home its beautiful makeover. “Because the space was divided in this way, we knew we wanted to ensure that the different areas had a different feel to them, while still retaining a timeless design that maintained Georgian features.”

Read more: Home Tour: A Historical House with a Beautiful Home Office and Cosy Bedrooms

To realise their vision of a relaxing retreat that pays homage to its historic roots, the designers decided to create a space that creates a dialogue between the old and the new. “The house needed to feel as if it was lived in and well established, and the furnishings needed to look as if they had been collected over time,” says Glaister. We made decisions such as choosing single seat cushions made from soft feather down filling on the sofas in the drawing room to give the look of being well-loved rather than brand new.”

To retain the original elements of the three-storey home, the team arranged for the floors of the study to be sanded and treated with a reactive stain. This helped to deepen the tones within the oak flooring and enhance the character of the timber material. Upstairs, the seven bedrooms spread across the 6,500 sqft property each has its distinct character that is reflective of both its owner and purpose. “Colour was key. We ensured that each bedroom had its own colour scheme whilst remaining unified with the rest of the house,” share the designers.

Existing architectural features such as the alcoves and pillars were left largely untouched, except for a rich coat of moss green in the background of the shelves to create a vibrant background for the curated objects and accessories on the shelves. The window seat was custom-made by the firm, to help further draw the connection between the client and the outdoor gardens. The bespoke cushions, upholstered in a floral fabric by Michael S Smith, create the perfect aesthetic for the room that’s inspired by the colours of nature.

De Gournay heiress Hannah Cecil Gurney’s vibrant home in London showcases both her vibrant personality and her family’s wallpaper business perfectly, and puts a playful spin on the English country house theme.

Every room in her exuberant home features a different De Gournay wallpaper, used to stunning effect to evoke various moods. Gurney’s not one to shy away from maximalist patterns and mixing colours. “Interiors like (private clubs) Annabel’s and 5 Hertford Street in London, where I love to have drinks with friends, are a feast for the eyes and senses,” she quips.

Read more: Home Tour: This Family's Apartment Dazzles With Its Colourful Use Of Wallpaper

The three-storey house located in London's Battersea neighbourhood features a vibrant mix of wallcoverings that draws from the brand's storied archives. A number of years ago, she discovered a stock of antique peach-toned wallpapers from the 1980s which her father had made as a test when he founded de Gournay. He disliked the colour but decades later, when his daughter uncovered them, she immediately fell in love with what she saw. “I love that the wallpaper sat in a box unappreciated for almost 40 years—it is now one of my favourites. I think that perhaps in the ‘80s this kind of peachy orange was underappreciated,” she says.

Other designs from the archives include the wallpaper found in her living area, which took inspiration from fashion icon Coco Chanel's apartment. “It is based on the famous Coromandel screens in Coco Chanel’s iconic Parisienne apartment,” she shares. “Our wallcovering is a beautiful reinterpretation and conjures a similar atmosphere to those screens. Everyone told me chocolate brown would be too dark but they were wrong—the room feels light and bright. The chalky white design and apricot accents keep the wallcovering bright and happy.” Combined with peach silk curtains and a deep blue velvet sofa, all by De Gournay, the space “feels super luxurious and is beautiful in the evening light,” she adds.

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